CHIHOMBORI ON TRAUMA OF COLONISATION

The legacy of colonisation not only left countries impoverished but also made it difficult for former colonies to push back. But that’s changing. According to Arikana Chihombori - a Pan-Africanist and former diplomat - people across Africa are waking up to the true extent of the mistreatment they’ve suffered at the hands of (neo-)colonialists, and are demanding a new way of doing things.

She gives the example of Niger, whose revolutionary new government has kicked back hard against French exploitation. She likens it to a class of students realising that together they can stand up to the school bully. Slowly but surely our collective trauma is turning into our strength - as it fuels our desire for justice.